Zuma Calls for Urgent Intervention in Central African Republic

Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- South African President Jacob Zuma
said foreign troops need to intervene urgently in the Central
African Republic because security is deteriorating and the
government isn’t prepared to hold elections on schedule.

The country descended into anarchy after Seleka rebels
removed President Francois Bozize in March, prompting
international condemnation and the country’s suspension from the
African Union. Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia, who became
transitional president, has failed to restore order even after
disbanding Seleka last month. The United Nation has warned
instability in the mineral-rich nation posts a regional threat.

“The problem is getting worse, even religion is coming
into play,” Zuma told reporters at a briefing in South Africa’s
capital, Pretoria, alongside Francois Hollande, the president of
France, the former colonial ruler of Central African Republic.
“We need to intervene as soon as possible,” Zuma said.

France may increase the number of troops in the Central
African Republic from 410 with approval from the UN to help
restore security in the country by the end of the year, French
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said yesterday in Bangui, the
capital of Central African Republic.

The United Nations Security Council last week took an
initial step toward deploying a UN peacekeeping force in the
nation. The council authorized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to
take 30 days to study ways to support an African Union
peacekeeping mission, which is deploying 3,600 soldiers. About
2,100 of those forces have been sent from four countries, Fabius
said.

Emergency State

“In CAR, it is a state of emergency and also a political
emergency since there is no state,” Hollande said today in
Pretoria. “There is also a risk of regional spillover.”

Seleka began its rebellion after accusing Bozize of failing
to honor a 2008 peace accord. An agreement signed in Libreville
in January ended the fighting and created a unity government.
The insurgents resumed combat in March, saying Bozize, who turns
67 today, had failed to meet a new set of demands, and ousted
the leader on March 24. Regional leaders meeting to discuss
progress on a peace plan in April urged Djotodia to hold
elections within 18 months.

“We were clear that we would not allow a coup, and gave 18
months for elections preparation,” said Zuma. “It is clear
elections cannot happen.”

South Africa withdrew troops stationed from the country
after 13 of its soldiers died in clashes with Seleka during the
rebellion. A month later, Zuma said he’s ready if requested to
return soldiers to the country as part of a multinational
peacekeeping force.

Central African Republic has a gross domestic product of
about $3.6 billion and earns most of its foreign currency from
timber and diamond exports, according to the CIA World Factbook.

The Central African Republic has a high potential to become
the next Somalia as “the breeding ground for all terrorists”
if lawlessness is permitted to continue without any action,
Fabius told reporters on Sept. 25. Al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s
affiliate in Somalia, is trying to impose Islamic law in the
country, which has been mired in conflict since the ouster of
dictator Mohamed Siad Barre more than 20 years ago.